Mansell yearns for F1's good old days

LONDON (Reuters) - Nigel Mansell says the titanium screws in his left shoulder are a reminder of Formula One's "good old days" when drivers were not pampered with electronic aids.

The 1992 world champion believes gadgets like Drag Reduction Technology (DRS) and thinner, less grippy tires have taken the thrill out of F1, leaving both fans and drivers short-changed.

"We need a bit of magic," Mansell, who won 31 grands prix, said in a Sky Sports interview on Thursday.

"Let the drivers drive and race the cars like we used to.

"Some of the rules need tweaking, DRS is a false overtaking aid in my opinion and doesn't give the driver the opportunity to slipstream properly and demonstrate a bit of a chess game and perhaps plan lap by lap, where to pass.

"Also, although Pirelli have done a great job with the tires on what they've been asked to do I think they should go back to the old tires where they had plenty of grip.

"Then if a driver wants to deliver the car into a corner and brake really late, put the power on and get sideways he can do it. It's very exciting for the fans to watch that."

Mansell said the power steering in today's F1 cars means the penalties for hitting curbs or going off line are too light.

"All the tracks I drove on were before all the changes and we had a lot of dangerous corners," he said.
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